Spar (Sweetbriar Lake)

by Rebecca Jenshak

  “You’re right.” Chris nodded and motioned for her to get into the truck. “Let’s get Travis to the hospital.”

  Chris inhaled deeply, ignoring the sterile smell of the hospital and focusing on breathing through the pain throbbing inside his head.

  He jumped up at the sight of Claire coming out the double-doors that led to the patients’ rooms and nurses’ station. She motioned for him to sit as she stood before him.

  “He’s going to be fine. They set the bones and gave him something for the pain. He’s resting now.”

  “Can I see him?”

  “Yes, but only for a few minutes. Technically, it’s past visiting hours, but I went to school with the charge nurse.”

  He stood, anxious to see his brother, but Claire laid a hand on his chest to stop him.

  “Five minutes! I don’t want to push my luck.”

  He nodded in agreement, and Claire moved out of his path.

  Chris’ skin crawled as he walked down the dim hallway searching for Travis’ room. The beeping of machines and the squeaky wheels of a nurse’s cart rolling down the hallway were the only sounds this time of night.

  He crept in quietly so as not to disturb his brother. It’d been a hell of a night, and Chris had so many questions, but right now, he just wanted to be there and see for himself that Travis was resting easily.

  The sight of Travis’ left arm in a hard cast flashed a memory of how Travis had looked when he found him. Three men had circled around as Travis lay on the ground already moaning in pain. Chris hadn’t known how long he’d been down, but it was clear the men surrounding him weren’t done yet. One man had paced around Travis, telling him if Danny didn’t get his money in a week, they’d be back. The other men had sneered in the background, nodding and grunting their encouragement to the ringleader.

  Chris hadn’t been sure of what he had intended to do as he’d strode forward directly toward the men. He hadn’t been in a fight outside of the ring in years, but the adrenaline rush at the sight of his brother being attacked had flipped a switch in him. He’d attacked the leader just as he’d reared back to give Travis another solid kick. He’d enjoyed it, too. That first punch, landing square on the jaw, had felt awesome. Judging by the way the man’s eyes had glazed over, it would have only taken another punch to knock him out cold, but before he could verify that theory, the other guys had grabbed him and gotten a few punches in.

  “You look like shit,” Travis mumbled, his eyes barely open.

  Chris chuckled softly. “You’re one to talk. At least I’m standing on my own two feet.”

  Travis laughed and then winced in pain, grabbing his side. “You got me there. I don’t think I’m going to be standing on mine for a day or two.”

  Chris sat looking over his brother as carefully as he could in the dark. Broken nose and broken arm and more bruises stretched out over every inch of his uncovered skin.

  “I’m sorry,” Travis said quietly, closing his eyes.

  “We can talk about it another time. You just rest.”

  “No, I need to say it now. I knew it was a bad idea going tonight.”

  “You knew they were going to be there? That’s why you didn’t want to go,” Chris said to himself, thinking back to Travis’ odd behavior as they were leaving Sweetbriar. “Shit. I’m an idiot. I thought you didn’t approve of me boxing.”

  Travis laid his head back on the pillow and closed his eyes. “I knew Danny’s thugs were looking for me. If they got wind you were fighting, I’d be easy to find. I knew it was a risk, and I didn’t say anything. I put you in this situation, and I’m sorry. Years of living and dealing with shit-bags like Danny, and I always thought I was better than them, as if I had some sort of moral compass that knew right and wrong on a higher level than theirs. But tonight, I led us into a situation that I knew could end badly. I should have told you.”

  “Don’t you dare compare yourself to those assholes. You’re better than that.”

  Travis laughed and winced, grabbing at his side with his good arm. “I don’t know anymore. I can’t seem to get my shit together.”

  “We will get through this together. You’ve got me and Charlie. We may not have been there for you like we should have been after Mom and Dad died, but we’re here now.”

  “Since when did my little brother become smarter than me?”

  “Knock, knock.” Claire poked her head into the room. “The nurses are pacing out here. I think it’s time to let him sleep.”

  Chris nodded at Claire as he stood next to Travis. He wanted to reach out and touch him, assure him in some way, but the fear of hurting him further restrained him. “I’ll be back. Get some rest.” He left the room and joined Claire in the hallway.

  She looped her arm through his and bumped her shoulder against his. “He’s gonna be okay. He’s in good hands here.”

  “Thank you.”

  Claire stopped outside the nurses’ station. “Tori is in the waiting room. I’ll catch up with you guys in just a minute.”

  Tori was sitting on the edge of her seat, her bottom lip pulled between her teeth. She stood as he stepped forward, but stayed firmly in her place.

  “He’s gonna be okay,” Chris said, taking a seat next to her.

  Tori nodded and sat back down.

  “Okay, I got two rooms at the hotel next door,” Claire said as she hustled into the waiting room with a large plastic bag in her hands. “Let’s get out of here.”

  Tori took her time in the bathroom, wiping her face bare and thinking over the night. Chris had come to Carroll to fight Louis. He hadn’t said it exactly, but he’d told them he’d found Travis after his fight was over. Why hadn’t he told her he was coming to Carroll to fight? It bothered her more than she wanted to admit. He’d asked her opinion and pretended it mattered. She’d been feeling bad about leaving him in Sweetbriar for a night out with Claire. Ha!

  “Tori?” Claire’s voice came from the other side of the bathroom door. “I’m gonna head back to the hospital and sit with Travis. My nurse-friend said it was okay as long as I didn’t get in the way.”

  Tori listened and nodded at her reflection in the mirror.

  “Tori?” Claire asked, knocking on the door.

  “I’m here. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  She waited until she heard the click of the door signaling Claire’s departure then opened the bathroom, ready to collapse into bed. Her head ached with unanswered questions.

  Long denim-clad legs caught her attention. Her eyes snapped to the bed where Chris sat. His legs dangled over the edge of the bed, and his torso was bare, revealing the bruising he’d gotten tonight.

  “What are you doing in here?” she asked more harshly than she intended.

  “Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you. I just wanted to talk.”

  “How did you get in?”

  Chris pointed toward the adjoining door that led to his room.

  “Oh” was all she managed.

  “Sit, please. I need to explain.”

  Tori waved her hands in front of her face. “There’s no need.”

  “Are we back here again?”

  Tori shot him a look, wondering why she’d ever imagined things could be easy between them.

  “Just let me explain. Please?” He patted the bed next to him.

  Tori moved the bag Claire had brought back from the hospital, glancing inside to find a variety of first-aid items, and sat at the end of the bed, keeping some distance between them.

  Chris’ voice was low and apologetic, nothing like his usual teasing, argumentative tone. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you I was coming to Carroll tonight.”

  “You think I’m mad because you didn’t tell me you were going to be in Carroll?”

  “No. I know why you’re mad. I wanted to surprise you after the fight, but then everything happened.”

  Tori kept her eyes focused on the bag and began pulling each item out. Bandages, antiseptic, ice pack, Tylenol — Claire had
thought of everything Chris might need. “I was definitely surprised.”

  She looked up to find his face sad and searching. She took a deep breath and told herself this was not the time or place. “Here, let’s get you fixed up.” Tori tore open the antiseptic wipes and dabbed at a cut on the side of his face. “Does it hurt?”

  He laid a hand on top of her free hand that rested on the bed. “Yes.”

  It wasn’t clear if they were still talking about the cut or the turmoil between them, but she didn’t push. She placed a bandage on the cut and moved to his torso. She ran a hand lightly down his chest and over the bruising that was turning a purplish color.

  His hand moved to caress her face, and she closed her eyes and leaned in to it. He kissed her softly and slowly apologized with each gentle touch.

  She kept her eyes closed and let him take control, laying her back on the bed and covering her with his body. The anger and frustration she felt for his betrayal gave way to an urgency deep within her. She needed him. Every screwed-up part of him was meant for her. Her anger had always been a buffer to her heart. If she hated him, then his actions couldn’t hurt her. Only they had, and they always would.

  She moved on top of him and pulled his jeans and boxers down. She tossed them aside and then slipped her panties off under her dress and flung them in the same direction as his clothes with a wicked smile. She turned around and lowered herself slowly down until he filled her so full she cried out. She leaned forward, placing her hands on his thighs so none of her weight would risk hurting his injuries. With no fear of making eye contact, she was able to regain some of her careful control.

  He took over, grabbing her hips and moving her up and down over his slick shaft. “You’re beautiful.” He pressed his lips to her back, continuing his torturous pace.

  His words were like throwing lighter fluid on an already roaring fire, and she gasped and arched her head back as she climaxed uncontrollably. She opened her eyes as he spun her around. His eyes held a dangerous look.

  Tori flung herself onto the bed next to him and listened to his breathing even out. She was raw with emotions and uncertain as to what to do or say. She couldn’t unload on him now. Not after everything he’d been through. Still, she had questions.

  “Did you win?”

  Chris didn’t speak for a long moment, and she was sure he had fallen asleep. She turned on her side, expecting to find proof that he’d shut his eyes and nodded off. Instead, she found his blue eyes focused on her hair splayed out on the pillow. He reached up and tenderly wrapped a long strand around his finger.

  “Yes.”

  She considered that for a moment. What would tonight have been like if he’d shown up at the club, excited to tell her he’d beaten Louis? Would she still be feeling as hurt as she did in this moment?

  With a sigh, he pushed himself up from the bed and pulled his jeans on.

  Panic took over as he zipped up and looked down at her, still standing and making no move to get back into bed. “You’re leaving?”

  He nodded and leaned down and brushed her lips with a kiss. “It’s been a long night. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  She attempted to smile up at him even though she felt like she was plummeting into Brokenheartville. She wanted to jump into his arms and wrestle him back to the bed and demand a redo that involved her being a badass sexual diva and him being… well himself, but less sad and intense.

  He smiled back at her, one side of his mouth turning up into a devastating smile. “Sweet dreams.”

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Chris grimaced as he swallowed the last sip of his cold coffee. The bad hospital java was rivaling the bad hospital breakfast he’d eaten an hour earlier.

  “Thanks for coming. Quite a mess Travis has gotten himself into.”

  Charlie’s voice was tired and groggy. Neither of them had even bothered to try and sleep last night. “Do you think it’s over? Do you think Danny will leave him alone now?”

  Chris nodded. “It’s over.”

  “You sound so sure. What if he decides in a week or a year to come back and fuck with Travis again? You may not be there next time.”

  “He won’t be back.”

  Charlie stared at him, eyes narrowed. “Oh, my God. You paid him off.”

  It wasn’t a question, and Chris didn’t bother answering.

  Charlie let out a low chuckle and shook his head. “Travis is gonna be pissed.”

  “No. He. Isn’t,” Chris said through gritted teeth. “He’s never going to know.” He pushed himself up from the plastic chair and threw his cup in the trash. “Tell Travis I’ll be back in a few hours. I need to take care of something.”

  “You know you don’t always have to be the one to take care of things. You could have called and told me about Travis before you took care of everything. You do this shit all the time.”

  Chris looked at Charlie with a surprised look — eyebrows lifted and chin tilted down.

  Charlie put up a hand to stop Chris from commenting. “Before you get all high and mighty on me, I know I wasn’t the best big brother to you when Mom and Dad died. I dealt with it by running away. Travis too, but not you. You stayed and handled everything. It was you who took care of selling the estate, dealing with lawyers, and God knows what else.” Charlie ran both hands over his face. “I’m sorry that landed on you. I came back to Sweetbriar because I want to be a part of your life. Good and bad. We’re family. Blood. I’m not running away again.”

  Chris nodded, unsure of what to say. He believed Charlie was back, and he was damn glad to have him in his life again, but this thing with Travis wasn’t Charlie’s fault. It wasn’t on Charlie to fix this. It was all on him. If he hadn’t been so focused on his own shit, he would have realized what Travis’ uneasiness on the trip to Carroll had been about. Instead, he’d acted like an idiot and assumed it was all about him. No more. He was done being blind to Travis’ troubles. He’d do whatever it took to see him settled and back on his feet, even if it meant giving up the one thing he wanted the most. This was bigger than he and Tori. He needed to be there for Travis one-hundred percent.

  Tori woke to the smell of coffee and the faint sound of The Golden Girls. She opened one eye to find Claire sitting, legs crossed, on the opposite bed with a picnic of food and coffee laid out beside her. She was happily humming along to the theme song.

  Tori hardly recognized her own gruff voice as she opened her mouth to point out Claire’s annoying morning peppiness. “You really are the worst in the mornings. No one should be this chipper this early.”

  Claire stopped mid-chew, and a large smile spread across her face. “Good morning to you, too.”

  “Did you order everything on the menu?” Tori asked, eyeballing the variety of foods and deciding if it was worth getting up.

  “Chris sent it. Come share before I eat myself stupid.” Claire patted the bed.

  “Any more coffee?”

  Claire waved the thermos in the air.

  She made herself comfortable next to Claire and shoved half a cinnamon roll into her mouth as she poured herself a cup of coffee.

  “What?” she mumbled with her mouth full as she caught Claire shooting her a questioning look.

  Claire looked back at the TV and turned it down with a remote in hand. “Wanna talk about it?”

  “When do I ever want to talk about it?”

  “What happened? I feel like in the span of twelve hours, you guys went from the most annoyingly happy couple I know to the two saddest people I know.”

  “The most annoyingly happy couple?” Tori asked over her coffee cup.

  Claire rolled her eyes and threw a bagel at her. “Okay, fine. Elle and Ryan are the most annoyingly happy couple I know, but you guys were happy. A Tori-and-Chris kind of happy. You’re more subdued.” She winked as she lay back against the headboard.

  Tori finished off the pastry and thought about confiding every fear and emotion rumbling inside her. No, she wasn’t ready. Es
pecially before finishing a cup of coffee. “I don’t want to talk about me. Let’s talk about you. Tell me what really happened with Jake.”

  Claire’s chipper demeanor dispelled visibly. “I think maybe we waited too long. We built it up so high that when we finally went for it, it felt awkward and forced. I expected fireworks and lightning bolts. I mean, this is Jake we’re talking about.”

  Tori smiled and slumped next to her friend, resting her head on Claire’s shoulder. “Think you’ll try again?”

  She felt Claire shake her head. “No. I couldn’t bear it if it was terrible a second time. With any luck we can put this behind us and be friends again.”

  Claire sounded resolute, but Tori didn’t buy it.

  “Besides, I think I might go back to nursing school,” she admitted softly.

  Tori sat up and looked at Claire’s shy smile. “You’re serious?”

  “Last night reminded me how much I love it. The adrenaline, the excitement, helping people. The blog is great, but I’m ready to go back. It’s been long enough.”

  Tori squeezed Claire’s hand, hoping she really was ready. Claire didn’t often speak of family, but Tori knew it had been Claire’s parents’ death at an early age that had pushed her on the road to a career in medicine, and the death of her grandmother when she was in nursing school that had caused her to second guess that decision.

  “I think that’s amazing. You’re amazing, but—”

  “But?”

  “It’s just — make sure you’re not using nursing school as an excuse to push Jake away. Give him a little credit. He has his own life, job, friends. All I’m saying is you can have both if you want it.”

  A knock on the door had Claire seizing the opportunity to escape the hot seat.

  “And you say I’m the one who avoids these types of conversations,” Tori said and smiled as Claire flung open the door.

  The energy in the room changed immediately as the three of them exchanged a look. Claire silently opened the door wide to allow Chris to enter.

  “I’m gonna head over to the hospital,” Claire said, grabbing her keys and giving Tori a pointed look. “Call if you need anything.”